The stories behind the buildings, statues and other points of interest that make Manhattan fascinating.

Monday, June 20, 2016

The Lost Stevens Mansion - No. 2 West 57th Street

In 1894 the ground floor of the mansion was ivy-covered. To the left is the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. from the collection of the New York Public Library

The wedding of lawyer Frederick W. Stevens to Adele Sampson
“stirred” Manhattan society, as The New York Times worded it.Stevens came from an old New York and Long
Island family; however he was “not well off in this world’s goods.”Adele was little known in New York
society.The daughter of wealthy Joseph Sampson, she had been educated in Europe and at the Bolton
Priory School in Westchester County, New York.

While her handsome new husband may not have been “well off
in this world’s goods,” Adele inherited essentially her father’s entire
estate.The Times later explained she “was
thus made one of the richest women in America” and noted “Miss Sampson brought
to her husband so large an income as enabled the couple to take at once a
foremost position among the society leaders and entertainers of the day.Society hastened to pay court to the handsome
and wealthy couple, and their early married life was passed amid smiles and
flowers.”

The Stevens had four children and were as important in
Newport society as in New York.Their
villa on Bellevue Avenue was described by a newspaper as “one of the most
luxurious in appointment and decoration.”Adele outdid every other Newport socialite in 1881 when she gave a ball “which
surpassed in magnificence any former entertainment held in the fashionable
watering place,” according to The Times.To cool the supper room, tons of ice were arranged in a pyramid and
lighted from behind by colored calcium lights “shining through the crystal mass”
to produce “a rather beautiful effect.”

In 1875 the Stevens laid plans for a new mansion far north
on Fifth Avenue at the corner of 57th Street.The area was only sparsely developed and the
Stevens mansion at No. 2 West 57th Street was one of the first of
the grand palaces there. It would be
another two years before Cornelius Vanderbilt began construction of his massive
chateau directly across the street to the north. Property values already reflected the coming
Millionaires’ Row and Adele paid $250,000 for the vacant lots alone—more than
$5.5 million in 2016.

Architect George Harney designed a sprawling three story and
attic jumble of styles that came together in a cohesive whole.The brick and stone mansion faced 57th
Street and included a Romanesque Revival portico, a chateauesque, cone-capped tower; German Romanesque
openings at the second floor; a French Second Empire pavilion on the Fifth
Avenue side; and a an irregular roof line of dormers and gables.

The mansion was completed in 1876 and prompted a guidebook
writer to call it “the most expensive house ever built in this city” with the
exception of Alexander Stewart’s white marble palace across from the Astor
mansions more than 20 blocks to the south.

The New York Times reported “no expense was spared in the
construction, or in its interior decorations and furnishings.One room was furnished entirely from the
contents of an old Norman mansion.”That
room, according to the newspaper was “considered in its way the most beautiful
in New-York.”

Things for the Stevens family went well until the Marquis de
Talleyrand-Perigord arrived in New York.The down-and-out nobleman had lost his entire fortune speculating in
California gold.The Evening World
reported later “he went there in search of gold, but returned ruined and
discouraged.Years later [in 1881] he
decided to avenge himself for that disappointment, went again to America and,
thanks to his name, was received in the most exclusive circles.”

The married Marquis became socially friendly with Adele and
Frederick.According to Baroness Althea
Salvador in 1890, “Mr. Stevens offered him two shares in an oil
well.The Marquis had no money and Mr.
Stevens gave him credit.”Not only did
Frederick fund the Frenchman’s investment, but the Marquis became a long-term
house guest.And then the problems
began.

The New York Times reported that “early in the season” of 1882 that
“it was whispered, then rumored, and finally boldly stated that Mrs. Stevens’s
name had been stricken from off the society list, and that she had gone to
Europe to join no less a person than the Marquis de Talleyrand-Perigord,
leaving husband and children behind.”

Society was shocked and appalled.The Times continued “The fact that Mrs.
Stevens, however, should have gone so far as to leave home and family for a
Frenchman of no particular personal attractions, the Marquis being short and
rather stout and decidedly ordinary-looking, and being moreover supposed to be
deeply in debt, and a man having wife and family, occasioned the utmost
sensation and surprise.”

Blacklisted from society and living with her lover abroad,
Adele sold No. 2 West 57th Street late in December the following
year.The New York Times reported “The
Stevens mansion, covering four lots on the south-west corner of Fifth-avenue
and Fifty-seventh street, has been purchased from Mrs. Adele L. S. Stevens by
Mrs. William C. Whitney, for $600,000.”The newspaper diplomatically noted that Adele was “at present sojourning”
in Paris.In fact, according to
newspaper reports years later, the house had been purchased by Colonel Oliver
H. Payne and presented to his sister, Flora Whitney, and her husband.

Like Frederick Stevens, William Collins Whitney came from a
family long-established in America.An
ancestor, John Whitney, arrived in Massachusetts in 1635; and William’s mother
was a descendant of Plymouth governor William Bradford.Although he held a law degree and was a
member of the New York bar, Whitney preferred political life.One year after moving in to the 57th
Street mansion, he was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Grover
Cleveland.

Whitney’s political career may have been inspired by that of
his father-in-law.His wife, the former
Flora Payne, was the daughter of Senator Henry B. Payne of Ohio.The couple had five children, Harry Payne
Whitney, Pauline Payne Whitney, Payne Whitney, Oliver (who had died at the age
of five in 1883 a few months prior to the purchase of the 57th
Street mansion), and Dorothy Payne Whitney.

William Collins Whitney in his office as Secretary of the Navy -- from the collection of the Library of Congress

When Whitney’s term as Secretary of the Navy ended in 1889
the family returned to New York.Stanford White was hired to remodel the interiors of the former Stevens
house.Well-known for her lavish DC entertaining, Flora now threw herself headlong
into the Manhattan social whirl.On
January 11, 1891 The New York Times reported that “Mrs. William C. Whitney has
announced a series of informal Saturday evening ‘at homes,’ with dancing, at
her residence…to which about six hundred invitations have been issued.”

The Whitneys hosted a high-profile house guest in 1892 in
the form of former President Grover Cleveland, who was once again running
for office.The President arrived in
New York by boat early on the morning of July 20 and was driven directly to the
Whitney mansion.The Times wrote “Mr.
Whitney was up and waiting Mr Cleveland’s coming, and met him at his gate.It was a most cordial meeting.After breakfast Mr. Cleveland saw several
newspaper callers and then went to the library to put the finishing touches to
the address that he was to deliver in Madison Square Garden in the evening, and
did not see any other visitors until in the afternoon.”The newspaper noted “Mr. Cleveland remained
at Mr. Whitney’s residence all the day, ate dinner there, and from there went
to the Manhattan Club, where he met the Notification Committee.”

By now, according to The Evening World, Flora Whitney was a
major force among hostesses.“Since the
retirement of Mrs. Astor, she has practically held undisputed sway in the
fashionable set.”The newspaper said she
“entertained sumptuously;” a claim that would be proven later that year when preparations
began for Pauline’s coming-out.

On December 3 The Times informed society that “on Saturday
evening Mr. and Mrs. William C. Whitney will throw open their handsome
residence at Fifth Avenue and Fifty-seventh Street to a large number of invited
guests in honor of their daughter, Miss Whitney.This reception will be the first large fashionable
evening entertainment this season, and it is understood there will be dancing.”

The affair lasted from 9:00 to midnight and dazzled even the
most jaded.The Times reported that the
mansion “has been the scene of many notable social events, but none have been
more brilliant than the reception give last evening.”The newspaper said “The great size of the
house necessitate floral decorations on a grand scale.In the hallway were palms reaching almost to
the ceiling and springing out of beds of roses, and garlands of orchids added
to the richness of the white-and-gold ballroom, where the reception was given.The famous Whitney tapestries lined the walls
of the halls and were hung over the balustrades.”

The who’s-who of guests included the President-elect and
Mrs. Cleveland, and the cream of society—the Stuyvesant Fishes, the William
Rhinelanders, Mayor Grant, General and Mrs. Alexander S. Webb, the Frederick
Vanderbilts, the William D. Sloanes, Mr. and Mrs. Abram S. Hewitt, the Burdens,
the Alexanders, the Gallatins, the Cooper Hewitts, and on and on.

A similar, if less gala, entertainment was held the
following week for Henry Payne Whitney who was home from Yale for Christmas
vacation.The dinner for about 100 was
served in “the great lower hall and the reception room and drawing room” and
was described by The Times as “the scene of the most brilliant gathering of
young people of this season.”Following
dinner The Hungarian Band played while the young heirs and heiresses danced
late into the night.

from the collection of the New York Public Library

Flora Whitney had been suffering heart trouble for several
years.Although she was in her early 40s
her hair was prematurely white.Nevertheless one newspaper said “her gentle face retained the glow of freshness
of youth.”By the time of Pauline’s
debut, both Flora and William had become concerned about the heart issues.The New York Times noted “As they increased
in severity both Mr. Whitney and herself began to feel apprehensive of the
ultimate effects, and the most skillful medical practitioners were consulted.”

Only a few days after she hosted Henry’s dinner party, Flora
suffered her worst attack.She was
confined to bed for weeks but continued to decline.At 2:55 on the morning of February 5, 1893
she died in her bed at No. 2 West 57th Street.Flora’s will, containing fewer than 200 words,
left her more than $3 million estate entirely to her husband.

The subdued mourning period in the 57th Street
mansion was abruptly ended with the high-profile wedding of Pauline to Almeric
High Paget, grandson of the first Marquis of Anglesey and son of Lord Alfred
Paget.The ceremony took place on
November 12, 1895 in fashionable St. Thomas Church.

Millionaires and nobility were celebrated by the public much
as motion picture or rock stars are today.The Times reported “The crowd extended fully a block up and down the
street, and lined along the curb as if some great procession were soon to pass
by.Most of the women appeared to be of
the class that loves to read the so-called society papers.”

Celebrity watchers crowd Fifth Avenue and 57th Street to get a glimpse of the millionaire couple. Note the tent-like structure erected to shield the bride from gawking onlookers. photo by Byron Company from the collection of the Museum of the City of New York

Even the presence of the President and his wife took back
stage to the Vanderbilts.“Many persons
were eager to see whether the Vanderbilts were out in force, and it was
doubtful whether the small black side-whiskers of Cornelius Vanderbilt or the
scarlet flowers which waved on the top of Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt’s hat
caused the louder buzz of conversation.”

St. Thomas' Church was decorated with floral arches and palm trees for the wedding. photo by Byron Company from the collection of the Museum of the City of New York

Following the ceremony, a wedding breakfast and reception
was held in the Whitney mansion.

On August 25, 1896 Henry Payne Whitney married his next door
neighbor and childhood playmate, Gertrude Vanderbilt.The Cyclopedic Review reported that the
wedding at The Breakers, Cornelius Vanderbilt’s cottage, “attracted much
attention in society.”

Munsey’s Magazine lamented “Like her cousin, the Duchess of
Marlborough, Miss Vanderbilt was married so young that New York society has had
small opportunity of knowing her.”Nevertheless, the magazine was pleased.“It was an ideal match.They had
been playmates from childhood, are almost equal in birth and fortune, and are
handsome, healthy, and happy.”

Colonel Oliver Payne’s gift to Gertrude was
extravagant.Munsey’s reported “he sent
her for a wedding gift a pearl necklace ten feet long.It surpassed the famous one collected by Mrs.
W. K. Vanderbilt, which has astonished London on the neck of the Duchess of
Marlborough.”

Society and, reportedly, the Whitney and Payne families
were surprised (and some like Oliver Payne infuriated) when less than a month
later William C. Whitney announced his engagement to the widow, Edith Randolph,
in Bar Harbor.They were married within a
week.He immediately built a new country
home in Lenox on an estate of 8,000 acres and imported 30 elk from Idaho for the grounds.

On February 28, 1897 the Chicago Tribune reported “Ex-Secretary
and Mrs. William C. Whitney gave another of their large dinner parties at the
Whitney House at No. 2 West Fifty-seventh street, on Tuesday night.The dinner was probably the last that Mr. and
Mrs. Whitney will give in the Fifty-seventh street house.”

And so it was.William gave the residence to Harry and Gertrude while he remodeling the
massive Robert Stuart mansion at No. 871 Fifth Avenue.The newlyweds took possession of No. 2 West
57th Street in 1897 and William and Edith leased the Harriman
mansion, just west on 57th Street.As his parents had done, Henry hired Stanford White to update the
interiors.

The young couple’s first child, Flora Payne Whitney, was
born in the house on July 27, 1897.Eighteen months later, on February 20, 1899 little Cornelius Whitney was
born.The family made it home just in
time.The New York Times remarked “Mr.
and Mrs. Whitney have just returned from the South, where they have been
passing several weeks.”

A year earlier William and Edith had entertained English
friends in their Aiken, South Carolina estate.On February 21 Edith suffered a fox hunting accident that left her
invalid.Thrown from her horse, her neck
was dislocated.After 15 months confined
to her bed, she died in the Whitney country home in Westbury, Long Island.She did not live to see the imposing Fifth
Avenue mansion completed.

After William C. Whitney died on February 2, 1904Harry took over the responsibilities of rearing
his 17-year old sister, Dorothy.She suffered
appendicitis in June that year and was operated on in the 57th
Street mansion.Two years later the
house was once again the scene of a glittering debutante entertainment--this time for Dorothy.Two hundred guests were invited for dinner
and another 60 couples “took part in the cotillion,” reported The New York Times
on January 30, 1906.

The newspaper noted “The Whitney residence is one of the
most spacious in New York and has a large ballroom…Not long ago the ballroom
was newly decorated and it is now one of the finest in New York.It is in white and gold.”

By the time Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney posed for this photograph in 1916, the family had left West 57th Street. from the collection of the Library of Congress

Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney hosted a dance in January 1908
for “the foreign guests and relatives who have come over to attend the wedding
of her sister, Miss Gladys Vanderbilt, and Count Laszlo Szechenyi.” The New
York Times said “It is to be quite a handsome affair with a limited number of
people asked, and those principally from the Newport set.There will be a cotillion.”

The demolition of the Stevens-Whitney mansion reflected a dying era. from the collection of the New York Public Library

But by now Millionaires’ Row was changing.On January 3, 1909 the New-York Tribune reported that Harry Payne Whitney had purchased his father's former mansion at No. 871 Fifth Avenue. The
57th Street house was converted for business
purposes.

Then in 1919 developer August Heckscher
purchased and razed the property.Two years later
the Heckscher Building opened on the site, designed by the esteemed
architectural firm Warren & Wetmore.It survives as somewhat of a Fifth Avenue landmark, known as the Crown
Building.

2 comments:

Tom, Thank you so much for including these lost mansions in your research and blog. I love the Gilded Age and have read dozens of books about the personalities, fortunes and economy of the period (I know more about railroad rates than I need to). Since discovering your blog, architecture of the period has become a major interest, both the architectural trends and life in the mansions. Your blog is like reading a major history of the period and I look forward to every entry. Writing history like a novel rather than a recital of dry facts is your gift. Thank you!